After an enforced hiatus caused by the small matter of a global pandemic and ensuing lockdowns, this September Belinda has been able to restart presenting her workshops on Interview Technique, Communication and Confidence.
First up has been a trip back to Ridgemount house at Shrewsbury School. Belinda has been presenting to the pupils at Shrewsbury for over 10 years, and the events are always an engaging and useful experience. Housemaster Will Hughes, who has been in position since 2009, has been kind enough to throw open his doors again to students from across the school for this opportunity. Working with groups of a maximum 15 pupils per session, Belinda and the students explore a variety of topics in and around interview technique, both in educational and business settings.
With the past couple of years having thrown much of the world into disarray, communication and personal confidence are more important than ever – particularly for young people who have had to spend much of what would normally be such a formative time cooped up at home. Belinda discussed with students the differing expectations and circumstances they might need to prepare for – from the Brave New World of the Zoom interview and webinar etiquette to the more traditional areas of handshakes and body language.
Once again hosting of the course took place within Ridgemounts’ fantastic library, giving the opportunity for exercises and discussions with smaller groups within the session and maximising learning opportunities for the pupils attending. How we present ourselves can vary hugely depending on what and to whom we are trying to communicate; pupils were asked to think about the myriad ways they can create an impression with what they do (and don’t!) say and do – at interview and in life more widely.
Feedback has been fantastic as ever, and as ever Belinda thoroughly enjoyed her time with the Shrewsbury pupils. Their character, focus and willingness to discuss and generate new ideas remains a credit to the school and to themselves.
If you’re looking for a speaker for a school, college or any other setting to prepare children and young adults for the ever-changing world ahead of them, please do get in touch. Talks and seminars can be given on any number of subjects, from interview preparation to university life and the daunting prospect of life away from home! Belinda’s long-running experience of working with groups and individuals to boost confidence and awareness will enable pupils and colleagues to get the most out of the opportunities available to them.